If you are searching for a dish that combines cozy comfort with a touch of gourmet flair, you have to try this Viral Sweet Potato and Goat Cheese Pasta with Crispy Sage Recipe. This pasta brings together sweet, creamy, and earthy flavors that sing in harmony, featuring tender roasted sweet potatoes, tangy goat cheese, and irresistibly crunchy sage leaves. It’s the perfect celebration of autumnal ingredients that’s easy enough for a weeknight but special enough for guests. Once you dive into this creamy, luscious pasta, you’ll understand why it has become a viral sensation that food lovers just cannot get enough of.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Viral Sweet Potato and Goat Cheese Pasta with Crispy Sage Recipe lies in its simplicity with every ingredient playing a vital role in building layers of flavor and texture. These staples are easy to find but when combined, the result is pure magic on your plate.
- Sweet potatoes (2 medium): The star ingredient providing natural sweetness and a creamy texture once roasted.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Adds a subtle kick that enhances the overall flavor without overpowering the dish.
- Short pasta (12 ounces): Rigatoni, penne, or fusilli work best to catch the sauce and sweet potato chunks.
- Goat cheese (4.2 ounces, crumbled): Offers a tangy creaminess that beautifully complements the sweetness of the potatoes.
- Heavy cream (1/4 cup): Creates a rich sauce that binds everything together smoothly.
- Fresh sage leaves (20 leaves): Fried to crispy perfection, they bring an earthy aroma and texture contrast.
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons, plus extra): For roasting, frying, and drizzling, it adds fruitiness and richness.
- Unsalted butter (1 tablespoon): Enhances the flavor of sage and enriches the sauce.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Essential seasonings to bring harmony to all the flavors.
- Grated parmesan cheese (1 ounce, optional): Adds a nutty, salty bite as a finishing touch.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): For those who love a gentle heat to balance the sweetness.
How to Make Viral Sweet Potato and Goat Cheese Pasta with Crispy Sage Recipe
Step 1: Roast the Sweet Potatoes
Start by preheating your oven to 430°F. Toss the diced sweet potatoes and minced garlic with a tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange them evenly on a baking sheet so they roast evenly and develop that perfect caramelized sweetness. Roast for about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure they cook uniformly and develop those irresistible golden brown edges. This roasting step transforms the sweet potatoes into tender, flavorful morsels that are key to the dish’s appeal.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
While your sweet potatoes roast, bring a large pot of salted water to a roaring boil. Add your choice of short pasta — rigatoni, penne, or fusilli are perfect — and cook until just al dente following the package instructions. Make sure to save about two-thirds of a cup of the pasta cooking water before draining, as this starchy water will help create the creamy sauce later. Cooking the pasta properly is crucial so that it holds the sauce and adds the right bite.
Step 3: Fry the Sage Leaves
In a large skillet set over medium heat, warm the remaining tablespoon of olive oil along with the butter. Once melted, add the sage leaves and fry them until they are crisp and fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes. The aroma that fills your kitchen at this point is unbelievably comforting. Use a slotted spoon to remove the sage and place them on a paper towel to drain, ensuring they remain perfectly crisp for garnishing.
Step 4: Mash the Sweet Potatoes
Add the roasted sweet potatoes right into the skillet. Using a fork, gently mash roughly half of the potatoes, leaving the rest in small chunks to create a delightful texture contrast in the sauce. This step helps the sweet potatoes thicken the sauce naturally while maintaining some delightful bite and body.
Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce
Now it’s time to integrate everything. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sweet potatoes and start folding in the heavy cream and crumbled goat cheese. Pour in half of the reserved pasta cooking water and toss gently. The starch in the water combined with the cream and cheese will turn into a luscious, velvety sauce that clings beautifully to each piece of pasta. Add more pasta water bit by bit if you need to loosen the sauce for that perfect consistency.
Step 6: Season and Plate
Season the pasta generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately topped with the crispy sage leaves, a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor, a drizzle of olive oil for sheen and richness, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to add a little spark of warmth if desired. This final flourish will make your Viral Sweet Potato and Goat Cheese Pasta with Crispy Sage Recipe taste as magnificent on the plate as it smells in your kitchen.
How to Serve Viral Sweet Potato and Goat Cheese Pasta with Crispy Sage Recipe
Garnishes
Adding crispy sage leaves on top brings delightful crunch and earthiness that contrasts the creamy pasta beautifully. A drizzle of good quality olive oil or a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese takes this dish from delicious to sublime. If you love a bit of heat, red pepper flakes offer just the right zing to balance the sweetness of the potatoes.
Side Dishes
This pasta is quite rich and filling, so it pairs wonderfully with fresh, simple sides like a crisp green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette or roasted seasonal vegetables. For a cozy meal, serve with warm crusty bread to soak up every last bit of the luscious sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Imagine serving this Viral Sweet Potato and Goat Cheese Pasta with Crispy Sage Recipe in individual cast iron skillets or rustic bowls to showcase the vibrant colors and textures. Garnish with a sprig of fresh sage or a sprinkle of toasted nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and flavor complexity. It’s a dish that looks as impressive as it tastes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers from this Viral Sweet Potato and Goat Cheese Pasta with Crispy Sage Recipe, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors will deepen overnight, but it’s best enjoyed fresh to keep the crispy sage as crisp as possible.
Freezing
Because of the delicate cream and goat cheese sauce, freezing is not recommended for this dish. The texture of the sauce changes when frozen, and the crispy sage won’t hold up well. Your best bet is to enjoy it within a few days of making it.
Reheating
Gently reheat the pasta in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or cream to restore its creamy texture. Avoid using a microwave as it can cause the sauce to separate. Add extra fresh crispy sage on top after reheating to recapture that original crunch.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese instead of goat cheese?
Absolutely! While goat cheese adds its signature tang and creaminess, you can substitute cream cheese or ricotta for a milder flavor. However, goat cheese really complements the sweet potatoes and sage, so it’s worth trying it as written.
What pasta shapes work best for this recipe?
This recipe shines with short, ridged pastas like rigatoni, penne, or fusilli because their shape holds the creamy sauce and chunks of sweet potato beautifully. Avoid thin or flat pastas, as they won’t capture the sauce as well.
Can I make this dish vegan?
You can! Use a plant-based cream and vegan goat cheese alternatives, plus olive oil in place of butter. Though it won’t taste exactly the same, the roasted sweet potato and crispy sage will still give you a very satisfying meal.
How do I get the sage leaves nice and crispy?
Frying sage leaves in hot olive oil and butter for just 1 to 2 minutes until they are crisp but not burnt is the key. Remove them quickly and drain on paper towels to keep them from becoming soggy.
Is it okay to prepare parts of the recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can roast the sweet potatoes a day ahead and keep them refrigerated. Also, frying the sage in advance works well if you store it in a single layer. Assemble and finish the dish just before serving for the best taste and texture.
Final Thoughts
This Viral Sweet Potato and Goat Cheese Pasta with Crispy Sage Recipe has everything you want in a comfort meal: creamy, flavorful, easy, and just a little bit special. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate seasonal flavors and impress anyone lucky enough to share your table. So go on, gather your ingredients, and bring this fabulous recipe to life—it might just become your new favorite pasta dish.
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Viral Sweet Potato and Goat Cheese Pasta with Crispy Sage Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting and Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Viral Sweet Potato Goat Cheese Sage pasta is a delightful blend of sweet roasted sweet potatoes, tangy goat cheese, and crispy fried sage leaves. The roasted sweet potatoes add a caramelized sweetness that pairs beautifully with creamy goat cheese and the earthy aroma of sage. Tossed with short pasta and finished with a silky sauce made from heavy cream and pasta water, this recipe offers a comforting yet sophisticated dish that’s perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1.1 pounds), peeled and diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 ounces short pasta such as rigatoni, penne, or fusilli
- 4.2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 20 fresh sage leaves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 ounce grated parmesan cheese (optional)
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Roast Sweet Potatoes: Preheat the oven to 430°F. Toss the diced sweet potatoes and minced garlic with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and caramelized.
- Cook Pasta: While the sweet potatoes are roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the short pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve 2/3 cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.
- Fry Sage Leaves: In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the fresh sage leaves and fry for 1 to 2 minutes until they are crispy. Remove the sage leaves with a slotted spoon and drain them on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
- Mash Sweet Potatoes: Add the roasted sweet potatoes to the skillet. Using a fork, mash about half of the sweet potatoes, leaving the rest in chunks to maintain texture in the dish.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sweet potatoes. Stir in the heavy cream, crumbled goat cheese, and half of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together until the sauce is creamy and coats the pasta evenly, adding more pasta water if needed to reach the desired consistency.
- Season and Serve: Season the pasta mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately topped with the crispy sage leaves, grated parmesan cheese if using, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, if desired.
Notes
- Use short pasta shapes like rigatoni or penne to catch the creamy sauce well.
- Roasting the sweet potatoes at a high temperature caramelizes them, enhancing their natural sweetness.
- Crumbled goat cheese adds tang and creaminess; if unavailable, feta can be a substitute but will change the flavor profile.
- Frying sage leaves adds a crispy texture and deep herbal flavor; do not skip this step.
- Adjust the amount of pasta water added to control the sauce’s creaminess.
- Optional parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes add complexity and a hint of heat but can be omitted for a milder dish.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat gently to avoid drying out the sauce.
